Bedford family feels blessed to call Perth home ahead of Bayswater Australia Day citizenship ceremony

BACK: Nishi Kozhikkalathil and Veena Padmanabhan. FRONT: Nayo Nishi (10) and Nikki Nishi (5) of Bedford. All will become Australian citizens on Australia Day at the City of Bayswater''s citizenship ceremony. Picture: David Baylis www.communitypix.com.au d478329

A BEDFORD father says his family felt blessed to become Australian citizens after moving from India to seek a “better future”.

Nishi Kozhikkalathil moved from his home country four-and-a-half years ago with his wife, Veena Padmanabhan, and kids, Nayo (10) and Nyneishia (5).

They are among 62 residents from countries including Ireland, United States, Canada, Iran, United Kingdom, Netherlands, South Africa, Peru and Japan, to become citizens at the City of Bayswater’s citizenship ceremony held on Australia Day.

Mr Kozhikkalathil said his family had waited for the citizenship for a long time.

“I got a job and when we were coming here, we did not think that we would settle down in Australia,” he said.

“I worked in other countries before where I generally finished my job and move back to India.

“We like the place here; it is a good place to raise kids and definitely a lot less traffic than India.

“It is a nice place to be in so we decided to move.”

Mr Kozhikkalathil said the education system, Government assistance and community organisations were different in Australia compared to India.

“For me, a better future for my kids is the prime reason – they will have a very good background,” he said.

“Studying in India, there is a lot of peer pressure and it is always in competition with others…here is a bit more relaxed.”

Nayo said she enjoyed going to school in Perth, which was easier than India.

“In India, we had homework even in pre-primary and here; we only started having homework this year,” she said.